Wardens at the park told the BBC that helicopters are now being used to track and trace the escapees, thought to include three lions and a lioness.

There has been confusion about exactly how many lions are on the loose with Udoto, KSW's spokesman, saying reports of six lions were exaggerated.

Udoto said he was concerned that people would try and tackle the lions themselves, as has happened in the past.

In 2012, four cubs had to be placed in an orphanage after a similar incident led to their mother being killed. And in 2013, two lions brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill in Nairobi, Kenya when they decided to have a lie down in the middle the street.

Answering a question on Twitter from a worried mother, Udoto advised her to keep her children locked inside until the lions had been safely returned to the park, adding such incidents were the "perils of born town lions".

Nairobi National Park borders the capital. It is estimated about 30 lions live in the park.

Posted on: 19/02/2016 10:58 AM

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